Top 10 Popular Indian Dishes
By Petrina Verma Sarkar, indianfood.about.com
These are among the most ordered dishes in any Indian restaurant, anywhere in the world. There is in fact, a common joke that says Chicken Tikka Masala is the national dish of the UK!!! With Indian cuisine growing in popularity, foods like Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer and Rogan Josh are not just well known, they are also well-loved in many homes.
Butter Chicken: Butter Chicken tastes great with Kaali Daal (black lentils), Naans and a green salad.
Tandoori Chicken: Once you've got the basic recipe for Tandoori Masala, prepare and store it so you can cook Tandoori Chicken anytime you feel the urge to eat some.
Chicken Tikka Masala: Chicken Tikka Masala is a delicious dish in which pre-marinated pieces of chicken are grilled and then added to a thick creamy gravy.
Rogan Josh: The literal translation for the name of this dish from Kashmir is 'red lamb'. The colour comes from the Kashmiri dry red chillies used in it. The name may sound fiery but the dish's heat is toned down by the cream that is added at the end.
Malai Kofta (vege-balls in a thick sauce): Malai Kofta is the vegetarian alternative to meatballs. It goes very well with Naans (tandoor-baked flatbread) or Jeera Rice.
Chole (chickpea curry): Serve this crowd pleaser piping hot and accompanied by pooris/bhatooras (fried Indian bread).
Palak Paneer (spinach and pressed cottage cheese): This mildly flavored dish is super healthy too.
Kaali Daal (black lentils): Kaali Daal is also known as Ma Ki Daal (mom's lentils) since it is wholesome and delicious!
Tikki Ki Chaat: This has to be the most popular North-Indian snack! Vendors literally crowd the streets selling all kinds of delicious variations of chaat in this part of the country. Chaat parties are also popular and a great alternative to a sit-down dinner.
Naan (leavened Indian flatbread): Serve this delicious bread hot, with popular dishes like Tandoori Chicken or kebabs of different kinds.
Top 10 Things to Try at an Indian Restaurant
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- Chicken Tikka Masala - boneless pieces of chicken, baked in a tandoor oven, after being marinated in spices and yogurt. I usually get this extra extra spicy, and its good enough to clear your nose, throat and eyes. Eat it with rice, and you will have one of the best meals you've ever tasted.
- Tandoori Chicken - This is chicken that is roasted and flavored with masala and spices. When I was little, I called it the "red chicken". It gets its distinctive color from the turmeric that it is cooked with.
- Shrimp Tikka Masala - same as #1 except its shrimp. This one is great for the seafood lovers. You haven't lived until you've tried shrimp baked with yogurt and spices with a little bit of rice. I recommend getting the super spicy version for this one as well.
- Chicken Vindaloo - Curried chicken with potatoes. This one is a mouthwatering treat and is usually reasonably priced at most restaurants. Tastes great, and definitely fills you up.
- Chicken Biryani - This is chicken mixed with fried Basmati Rice. You get the meat and the rice in one meal, and you can adjust the spiciness to your liking. Add some chutney for a tangy taste!
- Beef Curry - Indians curry everything. Beef curry is one of their best ventures. The curry is thick and delicious, and the beef is very often nice and tender. Rice is a definite with this meal.
- Goat Rezala - Goat cooked with an onion based sauce. Sounds delicious, and it is. A sweet and sour treat.
- Lamb Rezala - Same as #7 except with lamb. You'll enjoy the yogurt, onions and raisin flavor, and you'll be happy you bought this one.
- Lamb Biryani - Fried rice with lamb. Need I say more?
- Lamb Korma - Lamb stew in a yogurt, nuts and raisin based sauce. It'll make you wonder how you lived without it for so long!
Make sure you order a beer with your Indian food, and get ready to enjoy one of the best meals of your life!
